Tag Archive for 'winter'

Bud Break

Our urban winery’s location does not allow me to have a hands on monitoring of what goes on in the vineyard on a day to day basis.  I do know that right now is an exciting time for growers as spring is near and bud break is just around the corner.  Perennial plants (such as grapevines) bloom and mature over spring and summer then go dormant every autumn and winter after harvest.  Spring marks the first emergence of the shoots that will grow to bear grapes by September.  This can be a nerve racking time for winemakers whose first thought on very cold nights in spring is frost damage.  Once bud break occurs, the flowerings are vulnerable to frost damage.  

Frost occurs when the plant and grapes are colder than the surrounding air when temperatures are close to freezing.  So when we have very cold nights, temperatures dip down and bring the temperature of the buds down with them, as the air warms back up sometimes the grape can’t quite keep up, and this causes frost damage on the vines.  This type of damage affects yields and has the potential to drastically reduce fall harvest.   When this occurs, it takes extremely dedicated vineyard management to maintain quality.  

Hopes are very high for a great 2009 vintage in Santa Barbara County, and its beginning is just around the corner…

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Lafond Winery New Releases Open House

Grab your favorite wine tasting partner and make a note in your calendar to stop by Lafond Winery’s New Release Open House on Saturday, January 24.  The excitement of a new release always has us eagerly popping the cork in the tasting room to welcome the new kid on the block.  How does it compare to the previous vintage?  Will I like it as much?  These questions can be answered on your first sip of your winter wine tasting day at Lafond.  

What winter?  Yesterday was a sparkling clean eighty degrees in downtown Santa Barbara so most likely you won’t be wearing your scarves and beanies next weekend unless there is a dramatic weather turn.  I will always be happy to give you an excuse to go wine tasting, and here is the perfect opportunity to enjoy our out of whack summer weather, taste an assortment of wines that are being officially unveiled together, and take the windy ocean-view 101 freeway trip up or down to our vineyard.

Buying wine at a winery is much more fulfilling than running down to a wine shop an hour before dinner hits the table.  The wine has a story behind it, an experience, a day trip.  Laugh for a second time about something you laughed about the day that you bought it, reflect on a beautiful day in the vineyard away from the chaos of any downtown city, away from your dogs barking, or to do list that grows even as you cross things off.  

So come try the new releases with a celebratory selection of cheese and breads.

Lafond 2007 SRH Pinot Noir

Lafond 2007 SRH Syrah

Lafond 2006 Chardonnay Lafond Vineyard

Lafond 2006 Pinot Noir Arita Hills Vineyard

Lafond Winery New Releases Open House, Saturday January 24, 10am-5pm

6855 Santa Rosa Road (Sta. Rita Hills)

805-688-7921

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery